MERL - Savana Signatures

The Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) manager will be primarily responsible for the daily implementation of the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning activities of the organisation. She or He will oversee all MERL activities, provide technical direction and support to the project team, and ensure the accurate reporting of results for program activities, data harmonisation and visualisation.

The MERL activities will include designing a MERL system, conducting evaluations and rapid assessments, work planning, tracking the progress of multiple project objectives, development of data collection instruments and sampling strategies, onsite research and data collection, documenting best practices, writing/reviewing required reports and liaising with stakeholders on technical matters.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Design a monitoring, evaluation, research and learning system for the organisation, including the development of data collection and reporting tools and the generation of reliable data for results-based management of multiple programs. 
• Develop data analytics and visualization tools to present data in compelling ways to partners and stakeholders. 

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• Design, implement and disseminate qualitative and quantitative research studies,  including routine exit interviews as well as rapid assessments of progress and quality of projects being implemented. 
• Participate in the preparation of proposals, work plans, budgets, M&E plans, performance frameworks and program performance reports. 
• Oversee the aggregation and compilation of M&E data (quantitative and qualitative) for monthly, quarterly and annual reports.
• Conducting DQAs, data cleaning, analysis and review of routine project data at all levels to identify improvements in performance trends along process and output indicators and link them to effective interventions. 
• Conduct outcome harvesting to identify, describe, verify and analyse outcomes at all levels through tracking milestones and evaluating the relationship between the achievements and key program outcomes.  
• Support the program implementation team to engage key stakeholders in periodic program reviews to validate implementation strategies; jointly define a pathway to change; analyse performance trends along the program indicators and articulate necessary course corrections.  
• Taking the lead in data capture and reporting using monitoring tools to track program indicators as per the various project performance frameworks including timely and accurate publication of program achievements. 
• Provide M&E summaries to program implementation teams to facilitate documentation of best practices and dissemination of lessons learnt, to key stakeholders and donors
• Build the capacity of program staff to Monitoring Evaluation Research and Learning • Ensure that all MERL activities consider a gender and youth-sensitive dimension.

Basic Qualifications, Training and Experience

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Biostatistics, Population Studies, Information Studies or any relevant scientific discipline from a recognized institution. A Master’s degree will be an added advantage. 
• Minimum 5 years of progressive experience in implementing monitoring Evaluation, Research and learning activities.
• Experience in outcome harvesting and Research methods.
• Organized with excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to work under pressure and able to multitask.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience with complexity-aware measurement approaches, such as Outcome Harvesting, Outcome Mapping, and Most Significant Change
• Demonstrated relevant technical skills in analyzing and interpreting quantitative and qualitative data, and packaging the findings.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs, i.e., Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc., and the ability to use various commercially available statistical software programs.

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